Tablets VS Softgels: What Are Differences?

Discussions about tablets vs softgels remain a key concern for both pharmaceutical and supplement industries, as the dosage form in gel capsules or tablets directly influences end-user efficacy and experience. Beyond mere preference, this distinction depends on scientific and practical factors: specifically, how to optimize delivery systems for maximum therapeutic benefit.

Over time, the range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and their dosage forms has expanded far beyond traditional tablets and soft gel capsules. Each formulation type emerges to address specific drug delivery challenges, whether improving bioavailability, stability, or patient compliance.

By understanding respective strengths of softgels and tablets, from absorption rates to ease of use, pharmaceutical manufacturers can design better delivery systems, boost bioavailability, ensure stability, and meet diverse user needs, thereby maximizing treatment effectiveness and user experience. The knowledge meanwhile helps consumers have more suitable options tailored to their treatment or supplementation needs.

1. Understanding Tablets, Softgels, and Hard Capsules

1.1 What Are Tablets?

Tablets remain the most widely used solid dosage form, produced by compressing blended active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. Modern advancements have introduced specialized coatings and controlled-release mechanisms to optimize drug delivery. Despite these innovations, tablets maintain their cost-effectiveness while ensuring consistent gastrointestinal absorption and therapeutic performance.

1.2 What Are Softgels?

Soft gel capsules feature a seamless gelatin-based outer shell designed to encapsulate liquid formulations. Composed of a specialized blend of gelatin, plasticizers, and water, this flexible, durable barrier effectively safeguards oil-based medications and liquid supplements. The design of softgel not only preserves the integrity of the contents, but also enhances bioavailability by facilitating absorption in the digestive system. 

1.3 What Are Hard Capsules?

Different from softgels, hard capsules consist of two interlocking shells, typically manufactured from gelatin or plant-derived alternatives. This two-piece structure makes hard capsules ideal for housing dry powders or granules, allowing for versatile formulation options. Additionally, the protective casing ensures stability, preventing ingredient degradation until consumption. 

2．Hard Capsules VS Softgels, What Are Differences?

The construction and intended application distinguish softgels from hard capsules. A softgel consists of a single sealed shell capable of securely holding liquid contents, whereas a hard capsule is formed from two fitted pieces meant for dry medications. Furthermore, the shell’s formulation determines its stability and the absorption rate.

These differences inevitably influence drug delivery methods. Softgel capsules (or gel pills), typically oil-based, enhance bioavailability and absorption but are more complex to produce and preserve. Dry capsules, however, allow for more versatile formulations, though they may not achieve the same absorption efficiency as softgels when specific conditions are met.

3. Tablet vs Gel Capsule: A Significant Comparison

The effectiveness of medications and nutraceutical supplements is heavily influenced by their formulations. In the ongoing discussion comparing gel capsules and tablets, gel capsules often demonstrate superior absorption in human bodies due to their pre-dissolved state. This distinction is particularly notable in the small intestine, where the speed of dissolution plays a crucial role.

3.1 Absorption Differences:

When it comes to capsule vs tablet issue, the choice between dosage forms often depends on specific needs. While tablets may take longer to disintegrate, they offer advantages such as greater stability and lower cost compared to other forms like the softgel. The ideal formulation should align with the active ingredient’s requirements and the desired absorption speed. Softgel supplements typically provide a faster onset, making them more effective, but this also contributes to their higher price and potentially reduced shelf life.

4. Tablets: Benefits and Drawbacks

Tablets are among the most commonly used pharmaceutical formulations due to their affordability and convenient storage. Their uniform composition allows for efficient mass production, versatile for both prescription and over-the-counter medications. In terms of tablet vs capsule, tablets enjoys several benefits.

Production Benefits

·Cost-effective manufacturing

·Rapid production capacity

·Excellent stability

·Precise dosage control

·Extended shelf life

Usage Challenges

·Slow gastrointestinal absorption

·Potential swallowing difficulties

·Possible bitter taste

·Need for proper coating

·Susceptibility to oxidation

In contrast to softgels, tablets offer greater cost efficiency and enhanced storage stability. Their compact, dry form allows for higher concentrations of active ingredients, though they dissolve more slowly. Many users find this slower absorption rate a reasonable trade-off for their affordability, making tablets ideal for long-term treatments or supplements taken at intervals.

5. Pros and Cons of Soft Gel Capsules

Soft gel capsules represent a pharmaceutical innovation, offering distinct advantages over traditional formats like liquid medications and oil-based supplements. Their unique design ensures a higher delivery rate of active ingredients to the target area, enhancing efficiency for specific compounds.  

Key Benefits

·Enhanced absorption in the digestive system  

·Smooth, easy-to-swallow exterior  

·Improved preservation of delicate ingredients  

·Accurate dosing for liquid-based formulations  

·Reduced taste or odor interference  

Main Limitations

·Higher production costs  

·Shorter shelf life than tablets  

·Contains gelatin (non-vegetarian)  

·Sensitive to storage environment  

·Fewer customization possibilities  

When choosing between tablets vs softgels, users must weigh these factors. The higher cost of softgels may be offset by their superior absorption and ease of ingestion. Ultimately, the decision depends on individual health needs, budget, and dietary preferences.  

6. Hard capsules: Advantages and Constraints

Hard capsules offer a practical solution for dry formulations, enabling customized compositions while keeping production processes straightforward. Their two-piece design ensures stability and allows for diverse filling methods.

Notable Advantages

·Customization: Available in various sizes from size 000 to size 5.

·Material Options: Include vegetarian alternatives.

·Ingredient Range: Compatible with most dry powders or granules.

·Production Cost: Stays reasonably economical.

·Storage: Remains stable under normal conditions.

Common Drawbacks

·Susceptibility to moisture

·Limited suitability for containing liquids

·Inconsistent dissolution rates

·Possible need for additional coating

Hard capsules serve as a balanced choice, offering lower bioavailability than soft gel capsules and higher production costs vs tablets. While they outperform softgels in encapsulating solid formulations like powders or granules, their absorption rates may lag behind liquid-filled soft gel capsules. For manufacturers prioritizing cost-effectiveness, hard capsules often emerge as the optimal selection, provided their shelf-life requirements and storage conditions are considered.

7. Tablets vs Softgels vs Hard Capsules: A Comparison of Different Options

When it comes to oral medications and supplements, individual preferences and needs can vary significantly. Understanding these specific requirements helps manufacturers provide different groups with the most suitable formulation for specific user group.

The choice between tablets, softgels, or hard capsules often depends on specific factors. For instance, some individuals may prefer softgels for their smooth coatings which make swallowing easier, while others may require formulations that align with dietary or lifestyle preferences. The significant point is choosing a form which matches users’ needs and limitations.

8. How Capsules and Tablets Are Produced in Industrial Manufacturing?

Beyond the issue of capsules vs tablets, how do they come into being? In the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, capsules and tablets are mass-produced by using highly automated machinery, such as encapsulation machines and tablet pressers, to ensure efficiency, precision, and compliance with regulatory standards.

The production processes for these two dosage forms differ significantly, involving specialized equipment such as a capsule filling machine and tablet press machine.

8.1 Production of Capsules

Capsules, including hard capsules and softgels, are typically filled by using an automatic capsule filling machine, which can fill active pharmaceutical ingredients into empty capsules. The encapsulation process follows these key steps:

the main mechanism of a capsule filling machine

·Capsule Separation & Orientation: Empty capsules, usually made of gelatin or plant-based materials, are loaded into an auto capsule filler, where they are separated into capsule caps and bodies.

·Active Ingredient Filling: Active ingredients, such as powder, granules or pellets, are loaded into the feeding hopper of a capsule filler machine. Capsule bodies are precisely filled with typically powdered formulations. An advanced capsule filling uses a dosator or tamping-pin mechanisms to ensure accurate dosing.

·Capsule Locking: The filled bodies are reunited with the caps, forming sealed capsules.

·Ejection & Polishing: Finished capsules are automatically ejected, inspected, and sometimes polished by an additional polishing machine to remove possible powder on capsule surfaces.

8.2 Production Capacity of the Capsule Filling Machine

Standard industrial capsule fillers operate at speeds ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 capsules per hour, while high-speed models can exceed this range. For instance, Bosch GKF 2500 is a leading capsule filling model capable of filling up to 200,000 capsules/hour. Rich Packing NJP 2600D is a fully automatic capsule filler filling machine achieving 156,000 capsules/hour, suitable for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical production.

an automated capsule filler machine

8.3 Production of Tablets

On the industrial level, tablets are mass-manufactured by using a rotary tablet press machine, which compresses powdered or granulated formulations into solid doses. The process involves:

·Feeding the Powder: The drug mixture, typically in the form of powder, is fed into a feeding hopper of a tablet pressing machine, which directs it into mold cavities.

·Compression: Upper and lower punches apply pressure (up to 100 kN) to form tablets. Some tablet press machine models use single-station presses, but most industrial models are rotary tablet presses with multiple stations.

·Ejection: Formed tablets are pushed out of the die and collected for further coating (if the coating is needed).

the main mechanism of a tablet press

8.4 Production Capacity of A Tablet Press Machine

Standard tablet pressers produce between 60,000 to 300,000 tablets per hour, depending on the number of stations and compression speed. High-performance tablet press models include IMA Comprima 250 – A high-speed tablet press machine capable of up to 220,000 tablets/hour for large-scale production.

Another outstanding model comes with Rich Packing ZP 55D – A rotary automatic tablet presser with a maximum output of 260,000 tablets/hour, ideal for large-scale manufacturers.

a rotary tablet press machine

The production of capsules and tablets relies on advanced automation to meet industry demands for speed, accuracy, and consistency. A capsule filling machine can handle precise dosing and sealing, while a tablet press uses compression to form solid doses. With high-speed models, manufacturers can achieve mass production efficiently.

By leveraging these technologies, the industry ensures that millions of patients and consumers receive quality, uniformly dosed medications and supplements.

Final Lines

Softgels offer superior bioavailability for improved nutrient absorption; tablets tend to have a longer shelf life and are more cost-effective, and hard capsules allow for greater formulation flexibility. Ultimately, whether softgels, tablets, or hard capsules are the best choice hinges on actual circumstances of individual users.